Is Turkey going to open the border with Armenia?

Turkish Ministry of Internal Affairs has sent a written request to the state administrations of Kars and Igdir provinces asking to elaborate on how much time would be needed to complete the preparatory works should the Armenian-Turkish border open, reports local Turkish news agency Cihan.

According to some other Turkish sources it was the Foreign Ministry who sent the written request to the above-mentioned state administrations.

"There is an agreement signed in Zurich between Armenia and Turkey. It will be brought to life as soon as it is ratified by the parliaments of the two countries. But so far it has not been ratified by the two parliaments, and it is not known when it will be ratified. On the other hand, a written request has been sent to the state administration of Kars and Igdir asking how much time will be needed to repair the border gate, as well as the infrastructure, should the border open," said Governor of Kars Ahmet Karan.

At the same time he has said that they will manage to complete all the necessary works for the opening of the border within a month, should the issue again be brought on the agenda.

"Currently the works in the Eastern border gate had been stopped. But if Armenia and Turkey agree upon, and the border opens, then the Eastern border gate will be ready after one-month [preparatory] works. In case the border opens, there is no single problem in our side, and the infrastructure is in a good condition," said Karan, adding that the railway is also ready for use if Turkey opens the border with Armenia.